MERF On the Hill

By Williama Brents

The evening of Sunday, November 8, was spent by yours truly trying (in vain) to cover 18 acts at the Phoenix Hill Tavern. The reason for the extensive line-up was a benefit for the Musician's Emergency Relief Fund, an organization created to provide emergency financial assistance to Louisville musicians. It's a great cause to be charitable plus it gave me and many others a chance to check out a plethora of local acts in one night.

The musical smorgasbord began in the Saloon with Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes, arguably the best cover band in town. Despite their competent handling of such classics as "I Fought the Law," "Gloria" and "The Mighty Quinn" (which they said president-elect Bill Clinton really enjoyed at a recent rally). the crowd, for whatever reason, didn't respond. So halfway through "Hang On Sloopy" I headed upstairs where I found Dave King and John Grammcr entertaining about 25 people in the Taproom.

The acoustic duo played several charming originals that proved to be fine listening and relaxing. Between songs I could hear Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" coming from a band playing in the nearby Roof Garden, so off I went. The band was I.O.U. and I should have stayed where I was. The vocalist was a David Lee Roth wannabe who began moaning and groaning while he humped the stage during a generic version of "You Really Got Me."

Things have to get better, I thought and they did, courtesy of blues guitarist Duke Robillard. Propped on a stool, Robillard and his band let the Saloon crowd have it by blowing through one fiery blues number after another. My eyes were glued on the neck of Robillard's electric guitar as he delved into some sizzling string-bending solos that had me shaking my head. The following group, the Velcro Pygmies, also had me shaking my head, but for different reasons. Instead of impressing me with sparkling musicianship like Robillard, the Pygmies wore my patience thin with their boring crotch-rock mentality and vocalist Cam Flenor's incessant pleas for everyone to have fun.

Well, I took his advice and did have some fun, thanks to Londa Crenshaw in the Taproom. Crenshaw, a veteran performer who possesses a hearty blues voice, was a definite standout. Her stage presence and whimsical exchanges with the crowd were something to behold.

Back in the Saloon a good-sized crowd was waiting for the debut of Maxwell. Vocalist/guitarist Mark Maxwell and drummer Max Maxwell, formerly with Spanky Lee, took the stage, along with Tim Halcomb on bass, John Hawkins on guitar and three, count 'em, three female back-up vocalists. They describe their music as "deep-rooted rock"; I describe it as mediocre at best.

Meanwhile Chuck Mingus, also formerly of Spanky Lee, was helping out Speaking in Tongues up in the Taproom. Chaz Rough, leader of Speaking in Tongues, played acoustic rhythm and sang, while Mingus played some vigorous acoustic lead. The music was light and somewhat jazzy, which garnered a healthy response from the packed Taproom.

I think when it's all said and done MERF will again be very pleased with the funds raised and as for me I know now which local artists I will and will not be seeing again.